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Re: Seeding the forest with bees

Well, sorry to spoil this nice conversation. The point is that technically, honey bees are "invasive" species - they are not native to America. They compete for habitat and food with native species. It just breaks my heart because I love honey bees and wold like to support them. But, if we wanted diversity, we must support wild species as well. It is tough choice... Sergey

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

Originally Posted by Solomon Parker

Invasive or non-native? If they were that invasive, all their competition would be long extinct.

Aaaa, Parker! We did not entertain people for while! You did not answer my question in another thread where your expertise may be useful... Commenting on your statement here - it is not or, it is and... invasive, because they spread into the wildness where they are not suppose to be... yes native species is in decline - read the books, ask your teacher; are you studying environmental sci? But I do not want to start a new discussion - if you disagree, it is fine, hopefully, government will not change their environmental policies just because of Parker... every civilized nation protects its native species...

In my garden, I provide habitat for both honey bees and native bees. I grow native California plants as well as fruit trees, etc. I have bunch of humming-bees and native bees on my native plants. Interestingly, my honey bees are not interested at all in the natives... I hope, it provides some balance in unbalanced urban environment... Sergey

By the way,if you do not believe in native species declining, may be you are in denial of global warming also? Or you just in denial to anything I post? Nothing personal, just funny...

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

unfortunatly I disagree with all the native bees and global warming in general (damm hot here now though) we have tons of wild bees, they took the same hit from Vaorra as the rest, but are in fine shape..... Hell I have a contract to do pumpkins 2 of the patches I went to had so many wild bees, I didn't bother.... whats that got to do with seeding? means you don't need to. Wild bees can split and swarm several times a year... Kinda like compound interest, leave it alone and it will grow

As for global warminag and our current heat wave, much prefer to think that hell has finally descended upon us for the morons we have elected to rule... in the mean time show me global warming that does not line the pockets on the americian taxpayers dime and I will look......

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

As has been said, I think feral colonies are making a comeback. (I've gotten over 10 calls this year for either swarms or swarms that moved into houses. No one around that knew of any local beekeepers so assume they all came from feral colonies. I'm sure there are probably colonies already there - you just don't know about them.

If you wanted to add some (either find some land right by the park and put some hives there and let them swarm) or next year, advertise that you do swarm removal and dump the swarm in a cardboard box, tape it up, drop it off somewhere in the park and open it up. After several days, return for the empty box or just dump them out of the box on your first trip.

I wouldn't build anything to hive a swarm or put a box anywhere. Putting a hive of bees in the park is putting the bees at risk by bears. And anything you build to try to catch a swarm will eventually fall apart. There are plenty of hollow trees in the woods - again - you just can't see them - but they are there.

As for putting hives on the park grounds "in secret" is setting yourself up for trouble. Perhaps they would willingly let you put hives there under the guise (you want your bees to get "wildflower" honey). They don't need to know chances are your bees will swarm.

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

I thought, didn't think,,,,,that this would be a fun/harmless thing to do. There has been more discouraging words than positive. From some of the responses, it suggests there is not a clear picture of the circumstances where I am at. There are no bears in southern maryland. If I thought there were "feral" established hives, I wouldn't concern myself. Honestly do not think that is the case. I sorta think I've gotten a bad rap over this. No matter. One guy with a idea shouldn't do things like this. A bunch of experts with degrees, permits, credentials, can mess up and let loose AHB. I'm being compared to those guys? WOW, my stature in the bee world just got escalated. Calm down, I'm just having fun

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

Thankyou!!!! One of my points that I think got lost somewhere. I can hear the opposition. So, it really matters not the location. I think a point may be who/what is doing the most harm to "feral" bees trying to establish them selves? I'll leave that open

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

Originally Posted by Rick 1456

Thankyou!!!! .... I can hear the opposition. So, it really matters not the location. I think a point may be who/what is doing the most harm to "feral" bees trying to establish them selves? I'll leave that open

Rick, I like the way you listen to reason. I'm sending you a friend request.

LeeB
I try to learn from my mistakes, and from yours when you give me a heads up :)

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

Originally Posted by Lburou

The down side of feral bee colonies is their vulnerability to (now) indemic pests and diseases, and the exposure our domesticated hives have when the two meet.

I believe the exact opposite is true--it's the feral colonies that are vulnerable to the pests/diseases/pesticides we use in our domesticated hives. Feral bees didn't introduce varroa or small hive beetles. . .I think our domestic hives would be strengthened by interaction with feral drones that bring local survivor traits to our non-local, weakening genetics.

Rick, I don't know about the logistics but I support your intention in increasing feral bees.

Re: Seeding the forest with bees

Originally Posted by thenance007

I believe the exact opposite is true--it's the feral colonies that are vulnerable to the pests/diseases/pesticides we use in our domesticated hives. Feral bees didn't introduce varroa or small hive beetles. . .I think our domestic hives would be strengthened by interaction with feral drones that bring local survivor traits to our non-local, weakening genetics....snip...

I agree that feral bees can have good genetics to offer, but the important difference I note is that you can inspect your colonies and mine....You can't do that to the feral bees, hence feral bees at your water source or robbing your hives can introduce unwanted and unhealthy vectors.

LeeB
I try to learn from my mistakes, and from yours when you give me a heads up :)